While the effects of Hurricane Sandy were felt all over the tri-state area, one of the hardest hit areas was the Breezy Point neighborhood in the Rockaways section of Queens.

In addition to the storm surge and flooding, a massive fire that was aided by the high winds and the inability of emergency responders to get to the area absolutely destroyed nearly 100 homes in the tight-knit community on Tuesday morning.

Photographer Michael O'Kane was able to document some of the aftermath.

On Wednesday, residents began returning to the neighborhood to see the damage and salvage what they could.